What tools needed for chain change?

lemonade · 12 May 2017 at 12:22

My bike chain is nearly a year old with around 2000 miles on it, its KMC Z8, it still got a bit life left on it, but I am going to buy a new chain to prepare for the change.

What tools do I need for the job? The chain I will be buying is a KMC Z8 or equivalent again.

If anyone has recommendations would appreciate too, preferably under £10.

CHeers

lemonade · 12 May 2017 at 15:49

Thanks guys, the bike is only a year old and was bought new, so its on the chain that was fitted from factory or shop, KMC Z8. I will be buying a similar one again: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/kmc-z8s-7-8-speed-chain/rp-prod46601

So just to confirm for tools all I need is these two?

http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/TOJWPTR/jobsworth-pro-chain-remover
http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/TOJWPMLP/jobsworth-pro-master-chain-link-pliers

I already have a chain wear tool.

lemonade · 15 May 2017 at 21:23

Thanks for all the help guys. Gone and ordered the ParkTool CT-5, KMC X8 93 & an X Tool master link plier from wiggles.

Plan is to count how many links I have on current chain and size the new one with that, also thinking of cleaning the lube that come son the chain as I've read it's not very good.

I'm going to only change the chain, as the cassette is still in good condition, it's only got ~2k on it, it's an Altus HG31, made of steel so shouldn't wear as badly, the chainring does look a bit rough on some of the teeth edges, but nothing major. The chain itself according the chain wear tool still got 2-3mm left, but will change before it does start wearing out the cassettes.

Thinking of changing the entire cassette & chain ring in the future to less gears, as I rarely use over 5 gears, so just the chain will do for now.

lemonade · 16 May 2017 at 14:13

^ I will leave it on then, thanks for the advice.

I'll also leave the gears as is then if you guys think its a bad idea. I was thinking of going down to 9 gears basically. Mainly changing from 3 speed chainring down to just the 1 but keeping the 8 speed cassette as I do use 4 of the gears in the range. Thought it would make the bike slightly more simple, but perhaps it's not worth the hassle.

lemonade · 19 May 2017 at 10:54

I have a bottle of decathlon teflon cycle oil already, works really well. I find the chains get dirty or dry up from around a month of riding, so these days I find myself cleaning and relubing the chain on near a monthly basis.